CanSkate

CanSkate is Skate Canada’s flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. When you sign up for CanSkate you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. The coach to student ratio is a maximum of 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada Skating Programs.

Why sign up for CanSkate?
CanSkate is Canada’s only national learn-to-skate program. It was developed by experts to teach the fundamentals of skating in a progressive and sequential manner.
When you/your child registers for a CanSkate program at your local Skate Canada club, you also become a member of Skate Canada, the national sport governing body for figure skating in Canada. Membership benefits in the CanSkate program can include: badges, stickers, tattoos, colouring sheets, parent information sheets, progress updates and report cards, special CanSkate events and club functions, CanSkater of the Year award program, opportunity to be talent-scouted and opportunity to participate in a positive healthy lifestyle activity

These are some of the awards and incentives that have been developed to encourage athletes in CanSkate:

Program Structure

The CanSkate program focuses on the development of six fundamental movements organized in six stages of learning, with an optional 7th level for skaters who want to move into figure skating. The skills are arranged in progressions, from very simple to the more complex. Each stage has a primary focus. Once the skills on each stage are mastered, a badge is awarded. The series of badges include Stage badges, Fundamental Movement badges and Fitness badges.
The names of the STAGE badges are:

Stage 1 – Balance

Stage 2 – Glide Forward

Stage 3 – Glide Backward

Stage 4 – Edges

Stage 5 – Power

Stage 6 – Speed

Stage 7 (optional) – Pre-Preliminary

Canskate is geared to participants aged four and up, but can be adapted for any age. The Club offers PreCanSkate sessions for younger children (aged 4 to 5), and an adult session for older beginners.

Instruction is on a group basis, with at least two professional coaches on the ice, and sufficient programme assistants (older skaters aged 12 and up, usually participants in the Club’s junior-senior programme) to ensure a good coach to skater ratio. We limit numbers in general to a maximum of sixty (generally less) on the ice. Children learn at their own pace through badge levels. Skaters may join more than one skating session during the week (please ask about our reduced rate for multiple CanSkate sessions). HELMETS REQUIRED and GLOVES RECOMMENDED!